Arbor Day at Waiwhakareke

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The annual Arbor Day planting at Waiwhakareke has become a key date for the ecological restoration project.Launched in 2004, Arbor Day planting at Waiwhakareke has grown significantly, with more than 2500 people attending the 2015 event. It has developed into the largest community planting day in the city.

Arbor Day at Waiwhakareke has proven particularly popular with school groups and some corporates: for teachers it's a chance to get children out of the classroom and into the natural environment for a different kind of learning, while for corporates there's an opportunity to contribute to the community and develop bonds within teams of staff.

Each year around 20,000 plants are planted by the community, local businesses and the project partners. The success of these plantings can be seen across half of the Park. Over the coming years, this long-term planting programme will see the remaining 34 hectares planting in native species representative of the pre-European vegetation.

The event goes ahead rain or shine, with light refreshments provided. Volunteers are urged to come well-equipped with spades, shovels, and wearing suitable clothing and footwear – given the event is held in Hamilton's winter.

Anyone who wishes to volunteer for planting on Arbor Day can email parksopenspaces@hcc.govt.nz to register their interest. Groups registering are asked to indicate how many people will be included.

Programme

The squelch under the boots and the smell of damp soil are synonymous with wetlands, the theme for Arbor Day 2019.

This year's theme is "Wetlands are cool", with the event taking place on Friday 31 May, starting at 10am.

Entry to the park will be via Brymer Rd, opposite the Hamilton Zoo.

The average planter will put 15 plants into the ground over the two hours of planting – but we stress it's not a race.

We urge all participants to come dressed for the weather on the day: gumboots are best (covered shoes at a minimum) bring clothes suitable for gardening (including gloves if you like), a planting spade and a bottle of water – and plenty of energy.

In the unlikely event Arbor Day is postponed due to a MetService severe weather warning, visit the official Hamilton City Council Facebook page for updates